News

Founder’s Hall at Girard College is one of the new wedding venues in the Philadelphia area. / Photo by Philip Gabriel Photography

There’s always something buzzing around Philadelphia’s wedding world—good news for future wedding guests planning their big day. Here, we give you the details on some new wedding venues, a jewelry boutique, a local bakery’s new space, and an up-and-coming florist looking to add florals to your celebration. Check it all out below. And if you need even more inspiration, check out our local wedding guides.

Venue debuts in and around Philly

The ivy in the Ellis Preserve

For: bucolic beauty

Upscale chic meets rustic coziness in the Finley CateringThe newest venue set to open in Delco this fall. Featuring a 5,000-square-foot ballroom and an entire second floor just for cocktail hour, the modern, farmhouse-style building features indoor and outdoor spaces, grand chandeliers and a picturesque garden with room for 325 guests for dinner and dancing. 3749 Bridle Walk, Newtown Square.

Founders Hall at Girard College

For: historical splendor

Imagine your sunset cocktail on the terrace of the Greek Revival building and you’ll be ready to say “yes” to this newly renovated venue. 12th Street CateringThe ground floor of the hall can be customized to your needs and features a ballroom and three other flexible rooms and space for 200 (standing) or 150 (seated). 2101 South College Avenue, Fairmount.

The great beauty

For: timeless opulence

Cescaphe Earlier this year, I took over the management of the iconic 1904 ballroom at the Bellevue Hotel and gave the space a makeover that combined modern touches (a sleek bar) with original Gilded Age details (custom woodwork). Up to 500 of your friends can enjoy dinner here (catered by Cescaphe) or 1,500 can celebrate at a cocktail party. 200 South Broad Street, Downtown.

A one-stop shop for wedding rings and gifts in Fairmount

The mind behind the minimalist-modern jewelry brand ByRen has opened a new store in Fairmount. AyyahRachael Compton’s cozy boutique, which opened in March, features a consultation room for collaborating with clients on custom creations (including wedding bands and engagement rings) and a retail space showcasing her own designs as well as those of other artisans. You’ll also find goods for the home, body and mind – perfect as gifts for the wedding party or your life together as newlyweds. 1809 Fairmount Avenue, Fairmount.

Opening of Sugary’s Rittenhouse Bakery

A cake from The Sugary / Photo by Kseniya Berson Photography

Still need your wedding cake? Go to The sweetThe Sugary’s new bakery and retail space in Rittenhouse. It’s a passion project for Lesly McDevitt, who has been working out of her East Falls studio since launching her business in 2017. The shop has a lovely seating area for personal cake tastings, and McDevitt also offers a curated to-go box for couples to try at home. In addition to all of these treats for the holidays, The Sugary offers cupcakes, brownies, cookies and other treats to enjoy in single-serving portions, as well as specialty coffee drinks for sipping. Too sweet? Never. 251 South 21st Street, Rittenhouse.

A flower shop in full bloom

Waverly Flower Co. grows custom flowers on four plots in Montgomery County, including the new Skippack studio. / Photo by Jillian Guyette

For Alanna Messner-Scholl, gardening was her pandemic hobby—a way to unwind from responsibilities for newborn twins and her career as a clinical psychologist. But that hobby became her now two-year-old Waverly Flower Co. The sustainable flower business is booming: In April, Messner-Scholl opened an appointment-only studio and garden just outside Skippack Village, where she uses seasonal flowers—some grown using a solar-powered aquaponics system—to create designs for your wedding. She also offers newlyweds the option to donate their flowers to local nonprofits after the celebration. Real flower power.

Published as “New on the Scene” and “The 411” in the Summer/Fall 2024 issue of Wedding in Philadelphia.

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